Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) Meeting Highlights: March 12, 2025 Items 250301 & 250302: BZA members approved two sign variances for a new development in West Homewood. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3XQodMT Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.

Council Meeting Highlights, March 10, 2025 Item 20.02.25: Council approved a request to authorize the mayor to sign a contract with Trane through the end of fiscal year 2025 to cover maintenance. It does not require additional budget funding. Since replacing the old chiller—original to the building—City Hall has reduced annual electricity use by over 14%. The previous system was outdated and inefficient, struggling to keep up with demand. The new chiller, installed by crane, has significantly improved performance and energy efficiency. Since May 2024, the City has saved over $40,000 in energy costs. Despite a 6% increase in electricity rates, annual electricity costs have dropped by more than 8%. The updated control systems provide better management of heating and cooling, allowing for more precise adjustments by zone and time of day. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3FheybT Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.

Since May 2024, the city has saved over $40,000 in energy costs, even with a 6% increase in electricity rates. Replacing the aging chiller at City Hall has significantly improved efficiency, reducing energy use by more than 14% and lowering annual electricity costs by just over 8%. The new system, along with upgraded control features, allows for better energy management, ensuring heating and cooling are used more efficiently across different zones in the building. The original purchase of the chiller in 2023 included a year of free service, which ended in early fall of 2024. A new service agreement has been proposed to cover maintenance through the end of the current budget year, ending on September 30. The cost for the remaining six months is $12,120, with a quarterly payment of $4,040. Though initially believed to be included in the budget, the contract was not listed under the general fund’s contractual services. However, because this agreement only covers the period after the free service ended, it does not require additional budget funding. The finance committee has approved the agreement, and it will go before the full council for a vote on March 10 at 6pm. You can watch the report below, item 20.02.25.

During the Planning Commission meeting March 4, 2025, Samford University requested rezoning to accommodate a new community, Creekside, south of Lakeshore Drive near their campus. The development aims to create a livable, town square-style environment. Commission members told the applicant they would not support the item and suggested pausing to engage the public in further discussions so that they would have a better understanding of the project. In response, the applicant, Landmark Development, requested that the item be carried over until next month.

Planning Commission Highlights 03/04/25 Case 25.03.01: A request to rezone 8 Bonita Drive, comprising 0.46 acres, from its current zoning designation of NPD, Neighborhood Preservation District, to a C-2, Neighborhood Shopping District zoning classification to permit the construction of a two-story medical office building, containing a total of 7,160 sq. ft., for use by Alabama Pediatrics. The applicant is seeking to allow Alabama Pediatrics, a long-established, locally owned practice, to build a new facility that better meets their needs. The current building is aging, difficult to renovate, and not owned by them. The Planning Commission had a 0-5 negative vote with one abstention. This will now move to the full council to be considered. Cases 25.03.02 through 25.03.05: These items were requests for rezoning to accommodate a new community, Creekside, south of Lakeshore Drive near Samford University's campus. The development aims to create a livable, town square-style environment. There was a very large community response with many concerns. Colin Coyne, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer for Samford University, addressed the crowd and acknowledged the school’s past shortcomings as a neighbor, but emphasized that things have changed in the last few years. He made it clear they’re serious about being an active, engaged part of the community. He welcomed open conversations, promising to meet with anyone as long as needed to address concerns. With a background in environmental management, he recognized the community’s worries about traffic and sustainability, stressing that Samford has a responsibility to find real, lasting solutions—especially for watershed management along Shades Creek. He reassured residents that the university is committed to improving its properties, working with neighbors, and making decisions that align with both its academic and faith-based mission. Commission members told the applicant they would not support the item and suggested pausing to engage the public in further discussions so that they would have a better understanding of the project. In response, the applicant, Landmark Development, requested that the item be carried over until next month. MORE HERE Agenda: https://bit.ly/41EWSQ6 Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.